Apparatus for the manufacture of filtering-films



C. H.`VAN NOSRAND AND H. E. SCHULSE. APPARATUS Fon THE MANuFAcTuRE oF FILTEHING mms.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8. |918- Patented Oct. 12, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

m@ ATToRN Ys c. H. VAN NosTHANn AND H. E. `scHuLsEl APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F FILTEHING FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8. 19|8.

@5,355,292, Patented oct. 12,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

35 78 32 34?;927 36 f4 57 26 Z7. nz-f; 49 MTI.; i.: [Im Lulu 6 Y h L' L3 :E `4 ZZ? 45 L za 30 I 29 l I d INVENTOF? ATTORNEYS G. H. VAN NOSTRAND AND H. E. SCHULSE. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F FILTERING FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. B. |918.

Patented 00E. l2. X920.

/N ATTORNEYS NVENTOR Zim 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT orties.

CHARLES H. FAN NOSTRAND, ORANGE, LND tERlAN E.. SCHULSE, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY; SAID SCEULSE AS-SGNGR TO SAID VAN NOSTRAND.

.APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFATURE OF FILTERING-FILMS.

Application'led February 8, 1918.

To yw hom it may; concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLESV H. VAN Nosrnauo and HERMAN E. SoHULsn, citizens of the United States, the former a resident of Grange, Essex county, State of YNew Jersey, and the latter a resident of Jersey City, Hudson county, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Apparatus for the Manu` facture of Filtering-Films, of which the following is a. specification. v

Our invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of filtering films from fibrous filtering material. lt has for its object to produce apparatus for making such filtern ing films that will be light in construction, and suitable in shape to be removabloand replaceable in connection with suitable supporting devices. presenting a minimum of joints and clamping means therefor, and giving relatively large and efficient filtering surf-aces and possessing other advantages herein recited with reference lto such films; also to produce apparatus of the above character simple andV efficient in construction and operation, and that will enable the operator to malte such films quickly and cheaply.

lt consists of the new and improved apparatus herein shown and described. ln the drawings accompanying this specification we have shown our improved apparat-us in its preferred form, and have explained in connection therewith our improved process for making suoli films, and our improved film produced thereby. lVe are not, however, in this application claiming the said process and product, as they form the subject-matter of another application executed simultaneously herewith. 'l

Referring now to such drawings, Figure l is a. side elevation. with parts in section on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2, of a revolving table and accompanying apparatus for making sheets from fibrous filtering material. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan of one of the sections or pans coated with brous material arranged in overlapping strips withpart of t-he filtering material removed. 4 is a side view of the same to illustrate the overlapping strips, the strips being exaggerated in size for the purpose of clearness in illustration. 5 is a plan of a modified form of section or pan. `Fig. 6 is a plan of the stationary support upon Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedOct. 12, 1920.

Serial No. 216,110.

which the revolving table of Fig. l is placed. F 1g. T is a front elevationof the forming table with the framework in section. Fig. 8 is a detail of thevformer and certain ap-` paratus connected with it. Fig'. 9 is a plan of the forming table. Figs. l0, ll, l2 and i3 are longitudinal sections through `our improved film, Fig. l0 being also through the inner and outer perforated plates, Fig. ll showing the film slightly thickened at its base, Fig. l2 showing the supporting perforated plates as inclined slightly outward at the base, and Fig. 13 showing a modified form of the base of the supporting plates. Y

ln our improved process we first make a sheet or sheets of light fibrous filtering material of substantially the same thickness, texture and "density generallyV throughout the sheet without matting the fibers, by spreading loose, light, fibrous filtering material on avsuitable supporting surface or surfaces, and rolling it lightly in places or ridges to malte the said sheet ofthe character described above, and we thenbring such sheet or sheets, and a former of suitable material and of the shape of the film to be made into rolling contact VVwith each other under pressure to cause the filtering material fo be picked up by the former and formed into a film thereon of. ther saine shape as the former, preferably moistening a sheet before bringing it into contact with the former.v and then withdrawing the film from the former and repeating the operation.

Referring to the apparatus and the form of process shown and illustrated in the drawings, Fi'gs l to G inclusive illustrate the apparatus used in makingthe sheet of filtering materialreferred to above. l is a rotary table rotatably mounted. on a'standard 2 carried by a sliding block 3 having` lugsl 4. 4L running on guide rails 5, 5 secured to and forming part of stationary frame-work 6. 7 is a screw capable of rotating in bearings 8. S of the frameworkand carrying on its end an operating hand-wheel 9, by means of which the screw may be rotated. The screw passes 'through an internally screwthreaded. sleeve 10 on block 3. By these means table l can be shifted as desired across the framework 6.

Table l may be rotated by any suitable means. Those shown consist of an electric rial readily to the former.

Vshovver ofasbestos fiber upon the table.

motor 11 driving through belt 12, pulley 13, shaft 14 mounted in bearings in brackets 15, 15 of the framework. 16 is a friction Wheel mounted on shaft 14 and bearing upon the under side of table 1 and rotating it by frictional pressure.

. 17 is a feeding belt runningv over pulley 18 feeding or spreading a stream 19 of fibrous filtering material upon table 1. The fibrous. filtering material may be spread directly upon the surface 'of table 1 if desired.v `In practice We preferto place upon the table pans or sections 20, as shown in the form substantially of sectors of a circle. These pans may be made of any suitable material, such, for instance, as card-board or metal. Tn practice We prefer to cover them with a material such as Woven cloth or paper, as shown at 21, Fig. 3. 22 is a roller loosely rotating in a collar-23 secured to. the frame-Work. This roller is preferably provided vvith flutes orV ribs 23. These ribs rest upon the loose fibrous material that has been fed upon the table, and asthe table rotates, the roller rolls over the fibrous filtering material lightly, pressing it in places or ridges, smoothing and evening out the iiitering material and making it into a sheet of the same thickness and porosity throughout Without unduly compressing the fibers.V

The roller andits ribs are shown as tapering in order to compensate for the difference in speed of the'rotation of the table at different points along the radius of the table.

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of the pan or section in Which the surface 24 is made corrugated. y Y y Y The general operation of the apparatus in this first step of our process, illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, is as follows. Any suitable fibrous filtering material may be used. In practice We prefer to use a loose light filtering material such as asbestos. This is spread in any suitable Way over the revolving table 1, either with or Without the sections or pans 20. For convenience and speed of operation and efficiency, We prefer to use the pans, shaped as shown, and With the pans coated With suitable material such as woven cloth, paper, Sac., adapted to receive and give up thefibrous filtering mate- The fibrous filtering" material may be spread upon the table or pans by any suitable mechanism, and may be prepared in any suitable Way. 1We have shown.l simply for illustration, Ls onemethocha feeding belt 17 spreading a .frs the apparatus for picking or preparing the fibrous material and Vsupplying it to the belt` form no part of the invention, Wehave not illustrated it. TVe prefer to spread the fibrous filtering material in strips that will overlap one another along their edges. As shown in the drawings, these stripsv form concentric rings 25. This is accomplished and the second concentric ring is spread.V

upon the pan sections on the table, and preferabiy the outer edge of this concentric ring extends slightly over the inner end of the outermost concentric ring, and so on, with each inner concentric ring extending slightly over the inner edge of the next outer concentric ring, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. This overlapping, and the thickness of the film, are. exaggerated in F ig. 4 (which representsV a, sheet uni-oiled) simply for purposes of illustration and clearness. 0f course it will be understood that in making these concentric rings with overlapping edges, it is not essential that the table shoulfy be the movable element. Tt is only essential that either one or the other of the two elements, the table and the feed, should be shifted relatively one to the other; nor is it essential that thev outer concentric rings be spread first.

rWe have found that if the fibrous filtering material is spread in the shape of strips or concentric rings and preferably overlapping at their edges, a vstronger sheet is obtained vand one more likely to be of even texture and density throughout its areaV generally than if the fibrous filtering material be spread over the table in another Way. The overlapping of the edges of adjacent strips or rings tends also to strengthen the finished iilm and prevents the presence of thin spots in the films. 1t is of course highly important that a filtering film of the character shown and described, should not have spots or areas Where the film is substantially thinner than at other points. The presence of thin spots decreases the efficiency of the film as a filtering medium, and tends to more speedy disruption of the film and a shorter life.

As the fibrous filtering material isV being fed upon the table 1 in concentric rings, it is lightly pressed down by the iuted roller 22. This roller presses upon the filtering material simply along its ribsV or flutes 23. 1t thus presses only in spots or places or lines. lnpractice We prefer to run thetable so that the fibrous filtering material Will be fed and passed under the fiuted roller a number of times for each concentric ring so that the lines of pressure Will very fully cover its surface. The result is that `the filtering material is spread evenly and lightly into a Vlaminated sheet that isof substantially Vthe 'ing'th'e fibers together. lVe have found that vWhere thebers are not evened off afterthe feeding or where they are pressed together with considerable force the films are apt to be irregular or notV porous enough or of uneven porosity in different partsof their surfaces.

By using sectional pans we are enabled to make the sheet in suitable sizes so that the sheet on each section or pan is of just the proper size to make a single film. By the use of such sections on the spreading table we are also enabled to readily remove the pansto the forming table illustrated in Figs. 7-9, thus expediting and cheapening the process.

ln Figs. 7-9 we have illustrated the apparatus used in the second or film-forming step of our operation. In this apparatus 26 is a revolving table mounted and revolving in the standard 2T fast on framework 28. The table, as shown, is driven by electric motor 29 through belt SO, pulley 31, shaft 32 mounted in bearings carried by framework 28, and through friction wheel 34 fast on shaft 32. lVheel 34 bears lon the under surface oftable 26 and rotates it.

B is the former. t is made of the same shape as that desired in the finished film. las shown, it is slightly tapering and turned up or rounded at the apex 36. The former may be made of any suitable material. We have found that a metal former coated with :sloth or paper gives admirable results. The surface must` not be too adhesive to prevent the removal of the lfilm therefrom, butatthe Sametimev it must be sufficiently adhesive to pis-lr up the sheet of fibrous material from the table or pans. The former is pivoted at to the framework, and is provided with akhandle 3S, by means of which itmay be tipped up and away from the table. 39 is a weightV pressing former 35, downward by means of a belt l0 which runs over pulley 2 loose on the weight and pulley 43 on the lorme'r. The weight gives the necessary ressure to the former to cause it to pick up the sheet and to compress the sheet between the former and the surface of the table, as hereinafter described, to make the film sufficiently dense. smooth and hard. Former 35 is rotated by means of a friction wheel 44 mounted on a short shaft carried in bearings in bracket 45 of the framework. the shaft carrying at its other end a gear 4.6 meshing with a gear 4l? fast on former By these means the former is rotated in the samedirection as the table in order to pick upk the sheet from the pan.

We prefer in practice to meisten the sheet of fibrous material before it is operated upon by, and also at, the former. For this purpose we provide aspraying device 48 connected pipe 4 9 with some suitable supply of water or steam.

The operation ofthe second or forming step is as follows. The sections or pans are taken from table 1 and placed upon forming table 26. They may be placed upon it in any suitable way. We prefer to place the pans with intervening sections of table 26 without any pans. Table 26 is ypreferably covered with a suitable coating such as cloth or paper. ln Fig. 9 we have shown two of the pans 2O with intervening spa-:es 50, 50 with the cloth exposed. After the pans are placed vin operation the table is revolved and the former picks up the sheet on the first pan and rolls it into a laminated film of the same shape asvthe former, and as` shown in Fig. 16. The finished film is slightly tapering. lVe prefer to form the apex closed, leaving only one opening in the film, namely, at the bottom. For this purpose we provide at the apex of the formera compressing spoon 51 4with a holl'owed out or spoon surface, and

pressing against the rounded' apex of the former. This rounded spoon forces the fibrous sheet up and around the apex of the former and compresses it around the apex to form a closed rounded apex for the film, strong and durable. Spoon 51 is carried on a spring arm 52 secured to the central axis 53 of the table.

In order to form a clear, sharply defined edge at the bottom of the film we arrange a curved collar 511 at the base Vof former 35, and a cooperating curved'finger 55 pivoted at 56 to a bracket 57 from the framework.

-The collar and finger coperate to press the sheet to v'form a clearcut lower edge. Finger is loosely pivoted at 56 so that it maybe lifted out of the way when it is desired to tip the former 35 up from the table. After rolling a sheet of one pan section 2O on to the former'to form a film, we preferably continue the rotation of the table so that the film on the former is compressed between the former and the woven cloth section 50 of the table. This compresses the film still. further to make it harder, stronger, denser and with a more polished or finished` surface. When the end of section'50 reached the table is stopped, and the former tipped up,

when the film can be easily slipped off from the former. The film is now complete and ready for use. The formery is tipped down again and the tablestarted rotating, repeating the operation. l/Vhen the second film has been formed and rolled over the succeeding cloth section 50. the table is again stopped, the former lifted, and the film removed. T he empty pans are then removed and two other pans from table 1 are placed in position. and so on. Byyusing rotating tables and in pairs, as shown, onea table to make the sectors of sheet fibrous material.

and the other to receive the sheet sectors and form them into films, the Flins mav be made very quickly.I rapidly, cheaply and efficiently.

In Figs. 10 to we have illustrated the `finished films. 58 represents a finished film.

As shown, it is slightly tapering with apex 59 rounded and closed and having only one opening, namely, at the base 60. The films are of substantially even thickness, texture, and density throughout, and are free from thin or weak spots.v (iur improved films are easily and cheaply transportable, nesting intoV one another, either so that many can be packed into a small space, or even in certain instances the films can be flattened out for purposes of pack-ing and transportation without substantial injury to their subsequentl operation when restored to conical form. Y l

Our improved films are particularly servic'eable for use in connection with perfoi-ated inner and outer supports of substantially the same shape. 61 illustrates an outer perforated support and 62 an inner perfo-l Yonly one joint to be clamped., namely, at the opening of the filtering supports andv films.

. At the apex there is no joint due to the imperforate cap or ap'eX ofthe innersupport, and to the closed or rounded top of the film 59 itself. The slightly tapering shape ofthe film, 'and its supports, enables a tight joint to be made at the bottom lbetween them by merely` slipping one over the other.

In Fig. 1-1 we have shown a film preferably thickened toward its base as shown at 64. This isobtained by simply feeding. a little more of the fibrous material in at the outer section or ring of the sheet on table 1. In Fig. 12 we have shown the perforated supports 58 and 62 as slightly inclined outward toward the bottom as illustrated at 65. This is to further assist in tightening. the joint 'herein shown and above described may be made without departing from our invention, the essentials of which are set forth in the appended claims.

`What we claim as new andA desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: i

l. In apparatus formaking filteringl films from loosefibrous filtering material, the combination ofa rotary table having a surface for receiving theloose fibrous filtering material, a feedingdevice for spreading such filtering material thereon, means for moving such table and feeding device relatively to each other to feed said materialv in concentric rings upon said surface, and means for lightly pressingthe filtering material on such surface in placesV or lines to'spread it evenly thereon, whereby a sheet of filtering material of substantially the same porosity throughout will be` formed on the said surface made up of concentric rings.

2. In apparatus for making filtering films from loose fibrous filtering material, the combination of a rotary t-able having removable pans ofa sector-like shape adapted to rest upon said table and receive the fibrous filtering material, a feeding device for spreading such filtering material thereon, means for moving such surface and feeding device relatively to each other during the feeding operation, and means for lightly pressing the filtering material on said pans in places or lines to spread it evenly thereon, whereby a sheet of filtering material of substantially the same porosity throughout will be formed on each pan.

3. In apparatus for making filtering films from loose fibrous filtering material, the combination of a rotary table having removable pans of a sector-like shape adapted to rest upon said table and having a suitable non-adhesive surface'to receive the fibrous filtering material, a feeding device for spreading such filtering material thereon, means for moving such table and feeding device relatively to each other to feed said material in concentric rings upon said surface, means foi lightlyY pressing the filtering material on said pans in places or lines to spread it evenly thereon, whereby a sheet of filteringmaterialof substantially the same porosity throughout will be madeup of concentric rings.

4. In apparatus for Vmaking filtering lms rfrom loose fibrous filtering material, the

combination of a rotary table having a surface for receiving -thevloose fibrous filtering material, a feeding device for spreading such filtering material thereon, means for moving the table A-relatively to the feeding device during feeding operation to cause the feed to be made upon the table in concentric rings, means for rotating the table adapted to rotate it at varying speeds so that the surface speed of any ring of filtering material beingformed thereon will be the same as that of the other rings when beingA formed, means for lightly pressing the filtering material during the feeding in places or lines to spread it evenly thereon, whereby a sheet of filtering material of sub- 'stantially the same porosity throughout will be formed on4 the said surface. y y

5. In apparatus for Amakingfiltering films from 'y loose fibrous filtering material, the combination of a corrugated surface for receiving the loose fibrous filtering material, a feeding-device for spreading such filtering material thereon, means formoving such surface and feeding device relatively to each other during the feeding operation, and

VV10o formed means for lightly pressing the filtering material on such surface in places or lines to spread it evenly thereon, whereby a. corrugated sheet of filtering materialv of substantially the same porosity throughout will be formed on the said surface.

6. In apparatus for making filtering films from loose fibrous filtering material, the combination of a receiving support, removable pans adapted to rest upon said provided with suitable surfaces for receiving the filtering material, a feeding device for spreading such filtering material' thereon, means for moving the receiving support and the feeding device relatively to each other during the feeding operation, means forlightly pressingthe filtering material on said pans in places or lines to spread it evenly thereon, whereby a sheet of filtering material of substantiallythe same porosity throughout will be formed on each pan.

7. ln apparatus for makiiigfiltering films from loose fibroiisfiltering material, the combination of a surface for receiving the loose fibrous filtering material, a feeding device for spreading such filtering material thereon, a fluted or ribbed roller adapted to roll over the fibrous material after it has been fed upon the surface to press it lightly and spread it evenly thereon, whereby a sheet of filtering material of substantially the same porosity throughout will be formed on the said surface.

8. ln apparatus for forming filtering films from sheets of brous filtering material, the combination of a rotary table for the sheets of filtering material, a tapering former adapted to roll over and press upon a filtering sheet as the table rotates and pick up the sheet and form it into a tapering film, and means for rotating the former.

9. In apparatus for forming filtering films from sheets of fibrous filtering material, the combination of a former of the shape desired for the finished film, a support for the sheets of ltering material, separate and removable pans for the sheets adapted to be placed upon and carried by the said support, means for causing a rolling pressure contact between the former and a pan thus carried whereby the former will pick up the sheet from the pan and form it into a filtering film of the shape of the former.

l0. In apparatus for forming filtering films from sheets of fibrous filtering material, the combination of a former of the shape desired for the finished film, a support for the sheets of filtering material having a non-adhesive surface, separate and removable pans for Vhe sheets adapted to be placed upon and carried by the said support, means for causing a rolling pressure contact between the former and a pan thus carried, whereby, when a pan is placed upon said support leaving exposed a portion of the roll it over the adjacent exposed sui` the support to press'tlie film.

ll. in apparatus for forming tilt films from sheets of fibrous filtering mir tei'ial, the. combina a former'with a i bringing the sheets rier press mis. on the former, and a rounded compressing device adapted lforce .insulating material around and against the vrounded end of the former to forni a film i' "tha closed apex.

- l2. in Y apparatus for forming filt films from sheets of fibrous filter g n xterial tno conibiiiationof former of the sape desired for the finis ieri film, a 'support ortiie sheets of filtering material, ineai'is for causing 'a rolling pressure contact be# tween the former and the support, a collar adapted to bear against the edge of the filtering sheets, and a'pfinger cooperating therewith and 4with theforiner whereby a filtering film vof the shape of the former having a cleancut edge will be formed upon the latter.

13. In apparatus for forming filtering films from sheets of fibrous filtering material, the combination of a rotary table for the sheets of filtering material, a tapering former adapted to roll over and press upon a filtering sheet as the table rotates and pick up the sheet and form it into a taperingfilm, and pivoted so as to be raised from or brought into contact with, the table, a collar adapted to bear against tlieeclge of the filtering sheets, and a -finger coperating therewith and with thev former, and also it evenly thereon, a rotary forming table, a tapering former adapted to roll over and press upon a. filtering sheet as the table rotates and pick up the sheet and form itvr into a tapering film; Y

15. In apparatus for making filtering films from loose brous filtering material, the combination of a support, pans adapted to receive and carry the filtering material and to be placed upon and .removed from said support, means for spreading and rolling such filtering material upon such pans to make sheets of :filtering material thereon of substantially the saine porosity throughizo such surface in placesor llines to spread out;` anothersupport'adapted to receive such pans With the sheets formed thereon, a former of the shape of the films to bel made,

Vmeans for 'ycausing a rolling pressure contact betweeirthe former. and the sheets upon Vsuch pans whereby: a filtering Vlilmlof the shape'of the former Will be formed thereon f of even porosity throughout.

on, means for lightly pressing the filtering material on the Vpans in places or linesrto spread it evenly thereon, a rotaryforming table adapted to receive and carry said pans,

a tapering former adapted to roll over and press upon the sheet in a pan as the table rotates, andpiek up the sheet and 'form it into a tapering film.V

17. In v'apparatus for making filtering- .films from loose fibrous ltering material', the combinationof a rotary table, a feeding device for spreading filtering material thereon, means for adjusting vthe table and the feeding device toward or away from each other so that the feedwill be made in concentric rings, means for 4driving the table adapted to vary its speed of rotation Y in accordance With its relative adjustment with the feeding device so that each concentric ring being fedWill be 'fed at the same speed as that of the feed Jfor other concentric rings, a pressing device VJfor pressingVV lightly and in lines upon the material fed Y upon the table to form an even layer thereof, a rotary Aforming table upon which the sheets formed on the first mentioned rotary table may be placed,'means for moistening Vsuch sheets,y a tapering former adapted Vto roll in Contact with the table, and means for driving the 'former whereby tapering filter-v ing` films may be made of equal porosity throughout from loose ltering material.

In testimonywhereof, We have signed our names to this speciiieation.

onARLns n. Vvan NosreAND. HERMAN nsoHULsE. 

